Vibratory plate compactor

ABSTRACT

A vibratory plate compactor having a base plate assembly and a mounting arrangement is provided. The mounting arrangement includes a first mounting member having a first pair of legs and a connecting arm extending between the first pair of legs. The first pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor. The mounting arrangement also includes a second mounting member. The second mounting member includes a second pair of legs and a second connecting arm extending between the second pair of legs. The mounting arrangement also includes a hydraulic manifold disposed between and coupled to the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm. The hydraulic manifold includes a number of passages fluidly couple a first set of hoses to a second set of hoses.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vibratory plate compactors, and more particularly to a mounting arrangement for a vibratory plate compactor.

BACKGROUND

Vibratory plate compactors are employed on various machines, such as excavators, for performing tasks, such as surface compaction, foundation work, waste compaction, and for breaking blocks of coal, salt, sand or other materials. Typically, a vibratory plate compactor includes a top yoke and a. vibratory compactor base. The top yoke is attached to a boom of a machine and the vibratory compactor base. Hoses are provided to hydraulically connect the vibratory plate compactor with the machine. Typically, hose routing for the vibratory plate compactor may be different as compared to hose routing for hydraulically connecting other work tools, such as hydraulic hammers, to the machine. Therefore, interchangeability of the vibratory plate compactor with other work tools, such as the hydraulic hammers may be difficult because of need to reroute hoses for connecting the vibratory plate compactor on the machine for interchanging the hydraulic hammers with the vibratory plate compactor. Further, the top yoke of the vibratory plate compactor is typically a single bulky component manufactured by multiple weld joints. Therefore, manufacturing time of the top yoke is high, and since the top yoke is a bulky component, handling of the top yoke remains cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a vibratory plate compactor is provided. The vibratory plate compactor includes a base plate assembly. The base plate assembly includes a first plate. The base plate assembly also includes a second plate extending vertically upward from the first plate. The base plate assembly includes a third plate distal to the second plate. The third plate extends vertically upward from the first plate. The base plate assembly includes a housing member disposed between the second plate and the third plate. The base plate assembly also includes a motor associated with the housing member. The motor is configured to impart vibratory motion to the first plate. The vibratory plate compactor also includes a mounting arrangement coupled to the base plate assembly. The mounting arrangement includes a first mounting member having a first pair of legs and a first connecting arm extending between the first pair of legs. The first pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor. The mounting arrangement also includes a second mounting member. The second mounting member includes a second pair of legs and a second connecting arm extending between the second pair of legs. The second pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor. The mounting arrangement includes a hydraulic manifold disposed between and coupled to the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm. The hydraulic manifold defines a number of passages to fluidly couple a first set of hoses to a second set of hoses.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a mounting arrangement of a vibratory plate compactor have a base plate assembly is provided. The mounting arrangement includes a first mounting member having a first pair of legs and a first connecting arm extending between the first pair of legs. The first pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor. The mounting arrangement also includes a second mounting member. The second mounting member includes a second pair of legs and a second connecting arm extending between the second pair of legs. The second pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor. The mounting arrangement includes a hydraulic manifold disposed between and coupled to the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm. The hydraulic manifold defines a number of passages to fluidly couple a first set of hoses to a second set of hose.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine attached with a vibratory plate compactor, according to a concept of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vibratory plate compactor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the vibratory plate compactor of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the mounting arrangement of the vibratory plate compactor of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a portion of the mounting arrangement, taken along a line A-A′ of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a vibratory plate compactor 10 is attached to a machine 12. The machine 12 is embodied as a hydraulic excavator. In various examples, the machine 12 may be any mobile machine that performs operations associated with an industry, such as paving, construction, farming, or any other industry known in the art. For example, the machine 12 may be an earth moving machine, such as a backhoe, a loader or an excavator.

The machine 12 includes a frame 14, an operator cabin 16 disposed on the frame 14, a pair of ground engaging members 18 for propelling the machine 12, a compartment 20 supported on the frame 14, and an implement system 22 configured to move the vibratory plate compactor 10 over a ground surface 24. The ground engaging members 18 include a pair of tracks which are in contact with the ground surface 24 for moving the machine 12 on the ground surface 24. In one example, the ground engaging members 18 may be a number of wheels for propelling the machine 12 on the ground surface 24.

The operator cabin 16 includes a number of input devices (not shown) to control various operations of the machine 12 and the vibratory plate compactor 10. The operator cabin 16 also accommodates an operator to operate the machine 12. The input devices (not shown may include, but are not limited to, a push-button, a control lever, and a steering wheel. The input devices are provided to control a movement of the machine 12 and a movement of the implement system 22 along with the vibratory plate compactor 10, in order to perform various operations, such as surface compaction, foundation work, waste compaction, and breaking blocks of coal, salt, sand or other materials.

The compartment 20 encloses a power source (not shown) to provide power to the implement system 22 for moving the vibratory plate compactor 10 over the ground surface 24. In an example, the power source may be a mechanical power output source or an electrical power output source, providing power that may be converted to a hydraulic power tor moving the implement system 22 along with the vibratory plate compactor 10 over the ground surface 24.

The implement system 22 includes a linkage structure 26 connected to the frame 14 of the machine 12 for moving the vibratory plate compactor 10. The linkage structure 26 includes a first linkage member 28, a second linkage member 30 connected to the first linkage member 28, and a third linkage member 32 connected to the second linkage member 30. The third linkage member 32 includes a coupling member 34 attached to a bracket member 36. Further, the bracket member 36 is fastened to the vibratory plate compactor 10 through a connecting plate 39 (shown in FIG. 2), thereby coupling the vibratory plate compactor 10 to the implement system 22 of the machine 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the vibratory plate compactor 10 includes a base plate assembly 38 coupled to a mounting arrangement 40. The vibratory plate compactor 10 is coupled to the implement system 22 of the machine 12. More specifically, the mounting arrangement 40 is provided to couple the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10 to the implement system 22 of the machine 12.

The base plate assembly 38 includes a first plate 42, a second plate 44, and a third plate 46. The first plate 42 comes in contact with the ground surface 24 during an operation of the vibratory plate compactor 10. The second plate 44 and the third plate 46 are coupled to the first plate 42. More specifically, the second plate 44 and the third plate 46 are welded to the first plate 42 of the base plate assembly 38. The second plate 44 and the third plate 46 extend vertically upward from the first plate 42, The second plate 44 includes a first surface 48 and a second surface 50. Similarly, the third plate 46 includes a first surface 51 and a second surface 52. A first pair of resilient members 53 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) and a second pair of resilient members 54 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) are mounted on the second plate 44 and the third plate 46, respectively. More specifically, the first pair of resilient members 53 and the second pair of resilient members 54 are fastened to the second plate 44 and the third plate 46, respectively.

The base plate assembly 38 includes a motor 55 and a housing member 56 (shown in FIG. 3). The motor 55 is fastened to the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10. More specifically, the motor 55 is fastened to the first surface 48 of the second plate 44 of the base plate assembly 38. The motor 55 receives hydraulic fluid from a first set of hoses 58, 59, individually referred to as a first hose 58 and a second hose 59. The motor 55 includes a first inlet 60 and a first outlet 61. The first inlet 60 is fluidly coupled to the mounting arrangement 40, via the first hose 58. Similarly, the first outlet 61 is fluidly coupled to the mounting arrangement 40, via the second hose 59. The motor 55 imparts vibratory motion to the first plate 42 of the base plate assembly 38. More specifically, the motor 55 is driven by the hydraulic fluid received through the first hose 58, to generate vibration at the first plate 42 of the base plate assembly 38 for performing compaction operation. The motor 55 is associated with the housing member 56 of the base plate assembly 38.

Referring to FIG. 3, the housing member 56 is disposed between the second plate 44 and the third plate 46. More specifically, the housing member 56 is disposed between the second surface 50 of the second plate 44 and the second surface 52 of the third plate 46. The housing member 56 encloses various components, such as eccentric weights (not shown), a shaft (not shown), and bearings (not shown). In an example, the eccentric weights may be coupled to the motor 55. In such an example, the motor 55 rotates the eccentric weights at a predefined rotational speed to generate vibration at the first plate 42 of the base plate assembly 38. In an example, the predefined rotational speed of the eccentric weights may be about 2200 revolutions per minute (RPM).

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the mounting arrangement 40 includes a first mounting member 62, a second mounting member 63, and a hydraulic manifold 64. The hydraulic manifold 64 is coupled to the first mounting member 62 and the second mounting member 63. The first mounting member 62 includes a first pair of legs 66, interchangeably referred to as first legs 66, and a first connecting arm 70 connecting the first legs 66. Each of the first legs 66 includes a first top portion 74 and a first bottom portion 76.

The first top portion 74 is coupled to a first connecting plate 78. More specifically, the first connecting plate 78 is welded to the first top portions 74 of each of the first legs 66. The first connecting plate 78 is coupled to the bracket member 36 (shown in FIG. 1) through the connecting plate 39. The first connecting plate 78 includes a number of first fastening holes 80 (shown in FIG. 4) for receiving fastening members (not shown), thereby coupling the first connecting plate 78 with the bracket member 36 through the connecting plate 39.

Further, the first pair of legs 66 is resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10 through the first pair of resilient members 53 and the second pair of resilient members 54. More specifically, the first bottom portion 76 of each of the first legs 66 is coupled to the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10. The first bottom portion 76 of one of the first legs 66 is fastened to one of the first pair of resilient members 53 which is mounted on the second plate 44 of the base plate assembly 38. Similarly, the first bottom portion 76 of another first leg of the first legs 66 is fastened to one of the second pair of resilient members 54 which is mounted on the third plate 46 of the base plate assembly 38.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first connecting arm 70 of the first mounting member 62 is coupled to the first legs 66 of the first mounting member 62. More specifically, the first connecting arm 70 is welded to the first legs 66 of the first mounting member 62. The first connecting arm 70 includes a first portion 81 and a second portion 82 distal to the first portion 81. The first portion 81 includes a number of second fastening holes 83 for receiving a number of fastening members 84 therein. The second portion 82 includes a first pair of openings 85 provided to access the second fastening holes 83 on the second portion 82 while coupling or de-coupling the first mounting member 62 to or from the hydraulic manifold 64 and the second mounting member 63.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the second mounting member 63 is coupled to the first mounting member 62 via the fastening members 84. The second mounting member 63 of the mounting arrangement 40 includes a second pair of legs 86, interchangeably referred to as second legs 86, and a second connecting arm 88 extending between the second legs 86. Each of the second legs 86 includes a second top portion 89 and a second bottom portion 90. The second top portion 89 of each of the second legs 86 is coupled to a second connecting plate 91. The second connecting plate 91 is coupled to the bracket member 36 through the connecting plate 39. The second connecting plate 91 includes a number of third fastening holes 92 (shown in FIG. 4) for receiving a number of fastening members (not shown), thereby coupling the second connecting plate 91 with the bracket member 36 through the connecting plate 39.

Further, the second connecting arm 88 is coupled to the second legs 86 of the first mounting member 62. More specifically, the second connecting arm 88 is welded to the second legs 86 of the second mounting member 63. The second connecting arm 88 includes a third portion 93 and a fourth portion (not shown) distal to the third portion 93. The third portion 93 includes a number of fourth fastening holes 94 (shown in FIG. 4) for receiving the number of fastening members 84 therein. The fourth portion includes a second pair of opening (not shown) provided to access the fourth fastening holes 94 on the third portion 93 while coupling or de-coupling the first mounting member 62 to or from the hydraulic manifold 64 and the second mounting member 63.

Further, the second pair of legs 86 is resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10 through the first pair of resilient members 53 and the second pair of resilient members 54. More specifically, the second bottom portion 90 of each of the second legs 86 is coupled to the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10. The second bottom portion 90 of one of the second legs 86 is fastened to one of the first pair of resilient members 53 which is mounted on the second plate 44 of the base plate assembly 38. Similarly, the second bottom portion 90 of another second leg of the second leas 86 is fastened to one of the second pair of resilient members 54 which is mounted on the third plate 46 of the base plate assembly 38. In an example, the first mounting member 62 and the second mounting member 63 may have identical dimensional and constructional characteristics.

Further, the mounting arrangement 40 includes a number of pads 95. Each of the pads 95 is disposed on the second bottom portion 90 of each of the second legs 86. Similarly, each of the pads 95 is disposed on the first bottom portion 76 of each of the first legs 66. In an example, the pads 95 may be made of a sacrificial material. The pads 95 protects the first legs 66 and the second legs 86 from wear that may occur due to contact of the first plate 42 with the first legs 66 and the second legs 86 during operation of the vibratory plate compactor 10.

The hydraulic manifold 64 is disposed between the first mounting member 62 and the second mounting member 63. More specifically, the hydraulic manifold 64 is disposed between the first connecting arm 70 of the first mounting member 62 and the second connecting arm 88 of the second mounting member 63. The hydraulic manifold 64 is fluidly coupled to the machine 12 via a second set of hoses 96, 97, individually referred to as a first inlet hose 96 and a first outlet hose 97. Further, the hydraulic manifold 64 is fluidly coupled to the motor 55 via the first hose 58 and the second hose 59. The hydraulic manifold 64 is provided to allow and control a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the machine 12 to the motor 55 of the vibratory plate compactor 10. In an example, the hydraulic manifold 64 may include, but is not limited to, a cartridge valve (not shown) for controlling flow and pressure of the hydraulic fluid flowing to the motor 55 of the vibratory plate compactor 10 from the machine 12.

As shown in FIG. 4, the hydraulic manifold 64 has a substantially cuboidal shape defined by a top wall 98, a bottom wall 99, a first side wall 100, a second side wall 101, a third side wall 102, and a fourth side wall 103. The hydraulic manifold 64 includes a pair of inlet ports, such as a first inlet port 104 and a second inlet port (not shown), and a pair of outlet ports, such as a first outlet port 106 and a second outlet port 107 (shown in FIG. 3). The first inlet port 104 and the first outlet port 106 are positioned on the third side wall 102 and the fourth side wall 103, respectively. Further, the second inlet port and the second outlet port 107 are positioned on the bottom wall 99 of the hydraulic manifold 64.

The hydraulic manifold 64 defines a number of passages 108 to fluidly couple a number of inlet hoses, such as the first hose 58 and the first inlet hose 96, to a number of outlet hoses, such as the second hose 59 and the first outlet hose 97. More specifically, the passages 108 of the hydraulic manifold 64 are provided to fluidly couple the first inlet port 104 and the second inlet port of the hydraulic manifold 64 to the second outlet port 107 and the first outlet port 106 of the hydraulic manifold 64, respectively.

The first inlet port 104 and the first outlet port 106 are fluidly coupled to the machine 12 through the first inlet hose 96 and the first outlet hose 97, respectively. The second inlet port and the second outlet port 107 are coupled to the motor 55 through the second hose 59 and the first hose 58, respectively. More specifically, the second inlet port and the second outlet port 107 are fluidly coupled to the first outlet 61 and the first inlet 60 of the motor 55 through the second hose 59 and the first hose 58.

The hydraulic manifold 64 receives the hydraulic fluid through the first inlet port 104 from the machine 12. Subsequently, the hydraulic fluid flows through the passages 108 within the hydraulic manifold 64 to the second outlet port 107 of the hydraulic manifold 64. Further, the hydraulic fluid is received by the motor 55 from the hydraulic manifold 64 through the first hose 58 connected to the second outlet port 107 of the hydraulic manifold 64 and the motor 55. As explained earlier, the hydraulic fluid drives the motor 55 to rotate the eccentric weights, thereby generating vibration at the base plate assembly 38 of the vibratory plate compactor 10.

Referring to FIG. 4, the hydraulic manifold 64 includes a number of through holes 109 for receiving the fastening members 84 therein. The through holes 109 extend from the first side wall 100 to the second side wall 101 of the hydraulic manifold 64. The first side wall 100 and the second side wall 101 abut the first portion 81 of the first connecting arm 70 and the third portion 93 of the second connecting arm 88, respectively, in a manner that the through holes 109 coincide with the second fastening holes 83 (shown in FIG. 5) of the first connecting arm 70 and the fourth fastening holes 94 of the second connecting arm 88. The through holes 109, the second fastening holes 83, and the fourth fastening holes 94 receive the fastening members 84, thereby fastening the first connecting arm 70 with the second connecting arm 88 through the hydraulic manifold 64. More specifically, the through holes 109, the second fastening holes 83, and the fourth fastening holes 94 receive the fastening members 84, thereby fastening the first mounting member 62 with the second mounting member 63 through the hydraulic manifold 64. The bracket member 36 of the implement system 22 is fastened to the first connecting plate 78 and the second connecting plate 91 of the first mounting member 62 and the second mounting member 63, respectively.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Referring to FIG. 4, the present disclosure relates to the mounting arrangement 40 for the vibratory plate compactor 10. The mounting arrangement 40 includes the first mounting member 62, the second mounting member 63, and the hydraulic manifold 64. The first mounting member 62 is removably attached to the hydraulic manifold 64 via the fastening members 84. Similarly, the second mounting member 63 is removably attached to the hydraulic manifold 64 via the fastening members 84. The mounting arrangement 40 of the present disclosure provides modularity to the vibratory plate compactor 10. Since, the first mounting member 62, the second mounting member 63, and the hydraulic manifold 64 are separate components before being connected to each other using the fastening members 84. This reduces the complexity related to handling, manufacturing, installation, and uninstallation of the mounting arrangement 40. More specifically, modularity of the mounting arrangement 40 reduces manufacturing time, i.e. time involved during welding process, and material used while manufacturing the mounting arrangement 40.

Further, the hydraulic manifold 64 of the vibratory plate compactor 10 is positioned between the first mounting member 62 and the second mounting member 63. This reduces distance between the motor 55 of the vibratory plate compactor 10 and the hydraulic manifold 64. Therefore, the hydraulic manifold 64 of the mounting arrangement 40 eliminates usage of long hoses for connecting ports, such as the second outlet port 107 and the second inlet port, of the hydraulic manifold 64 to the first inlet 60 and the first outlet 61 of the motor 55. Further, positioning of the hydraulic manifold 64 and the ports, such as the first outlet port 106 and the first inlet port 104, on the hydraulic manifold 64 reduces complexity involved while interchanging the vibratory plate compactor 10 with other work tools, such as hydraulic hammers. The present disclosure offers the mounting arrangement 40 for the vibratory plate compactor 10 that is simple, easy to use, and less complex. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A vibratory plate compactor comprising: a base plate assembly including: a first plate; a second plate extending vertically upward from the first plate; a third plate distal to the second plate, and extending vertically upward from the first plate; a housing member disposed between the second plate and the third plate; and a motor associated with the housing member, the motor configured to impart vibratory motion to the first plate; and a mounting arrangement coupled to the base plate assembly, the mounting arrangement including: a first mounting member having a first pair of legs and a first connecting arm extending between the first pair of legs, wherein the first pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor; a second mounting member having a second pair of legs and a second connecting arm extending between the second pair of legs, wherein the second pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor; and a hydraulic manifold disposed between and coupled to the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm, the hydraulic manifold defining a number of passages to fluidly couple a first set of hoses to a second set of hoses.
 2. A mounting arrangement of a vibratory plate compactor having a base plate assembly, the mounting arrangement comprising: a first mounting member having a first pair of legs and a first connecting arm extending between the first pair of legs, wherein the first pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor; a second mounting member having a second pair of legs and a second connecting arm extending between the second pair of legs, wherein the second pair of legs is adapted to be resiliently coupled with the base plate assembly of the vibratory plate compactor; and a hydraulic manifold disposed between and coupled to the first connecting arm and the second connecting arm, the hydraulic manifold defining a number of passages to fluidly couple a first set of hoses to a second set of hoses. 